JCM Power hands over 10m clinic

 JCM Power has handed over a K10 million worth clinic to Katawa Community in Senior Chief Kalonga’s area in Salima District.

Speaking during the ceremony at Katawa Health Centre, JCM Power community liaison officer Levison Masamba said the company is committed to work with the council as it operates its business as an independent power producer.

He said: “In accordance with JCM’s Impact Policy, we are dedicated to creating specific plans in line with local community needs.

“One of our focus areas is the promotion of access to health. This is why we responded to the need for a clinic structure with funding from Infraco Africa.”

 Masamba asked the council to take over responsibility of the clinic on behalf of Katawa community for proper management.

“This is now a community asset and the council and the Katawa community will manage and maintain it so it can continue to serve people long into the future,” he said.

Salima District Council chairperson Letan Mthaphwi said the clinic will help the community to easily access health services.

He said people in the area were facing challenges to access other health services such as Covid-19 testing and cervical cancer screening and travelled long distances to Kaphatenga Health Centre.

Kindle Orphan Outreach executive director Joseph Kandiyesa whose organisation runs Katawa Health Centre, said the new structure will be used for cervical cancer screening for women and for Covid-19 testing.

A community member, Emily Phiri commended JCM Power for the structure.

“I will encourage my fellow women to go for cervical cancer screening at the facility,” she said.

During the handover, people also planted trees around the health facility.

The project started in October 2021.